UC hosts 130 public school leaders in SEAMEO-led training

THE University of the Cordilleras last week hosted 130 public school principals and school administrators in a training course for flexible learning programs known as the Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia (eXCELS) program of the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
SEAMEO specialist Dr. Pierre Angelo Alejo led a training team that gave a 2-day orientation about the eXCELS program at the computer laboratories of the UC College of Information Technology and Computing Sciences (CITCS)
The participants were introduced to iFLEX, an electronic learning program that allows flexible learners to interact extensively through discussion forums, chat, file sharing, online access to resources and references, online submission of requirements, email and other learner support systems.
iFLEX is used for LEARNTECH eXCELS, a nine-month course currently implemented in partnership with the Philippine Normal University, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the SEAMEO Regional Training Center in Vietnam.
LEARNTECH eXCELS is a course on leading curricular and instructional processes. It is composed of 17 print-based self-instructional modules.
iFLEX is also used for ICeXCELS (Instructional and Curricular Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia), a short course package of SEAMEO INNOTECH for primary and secondary school administrators in developing instructional and curriculum development leadership.
It addresses the need to develop and strengthen the school head’s role as an instructional leader in promoting better quality of teaching and learning in his/her school.
The course is composed of two-self learning modules in print format: (1) Affirm the Instructional Leadership Roles and Functions of the School Head and (2) Lead Curriculum Implementation and Enrichment. The ICeXCELS course runs for one month.
Last November, the University of the Cordilleras joined the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and the Philippine Normal University to be the fourth school in the country to be affiliated with SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) in providing flexible learning courses for teachers and school administrators.
UC President Jaime M. Buzar said the University of the Cordilleras is the only SEAMEO-affiliated school in Northern Luzon implementing the eXCELS program and iFLEX system, which he considers “very innovative approaches to learning, where educators no longer have to leave their workstations to learn.”
SEAMEO is composed of the 11 Asian countries, namely, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Its associate member countries include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Established in 1968, its purpose is to “promote cooperation among the Southeast Asian nations through education, science and culture in order to further respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are the birthrights of the peoples of the world.”